By God’s grace alone, in His strength alone, for His glory alone, I just this morning walked ALL FIVE HANDICAPPED & SENIOR RESCUED DOGS in the care of my ministry about ONE MILE to the veterinarian in NEW YORK CITY! For anyone not aware, I do streets ministry & write Gospel tracts, devotionals & books and move from location to location as the Lord leads me with five special needs and senior rescued dogs in my care the Lord often uses to lead me to people to whom I am blessed to minister and with whom I am privileged to share the Gospel. These are the last five after about 20 years of dog rescue work. I would be EXCEEDINGLY THANKFUL to anyone led to DONATE toward this bill. Today’s…

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” 1 Cor. 5:14-15 When I was under the false prosperity gospel teaching for some years, I loved everything about it with one exception. I loved being taught I could have everything my little greedy self-centered heart desired if I waved my magic I’ve-got-enough-faith-to-believe-God-for-this-or-that wand in God’s Santa Clause give-His-children-all-they-dream-of face, but I hated that oftentimes I never got what I prayed for. God delivered me from false name-it-claim-it teaching, led me to repentance for living exclusively for me instead of for Him, and has since…

“Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”” Mt. 22:37-40 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”” John 13:34-35 When a sweet woman I have never met in person nor talked to by telephone who reads my Daily Inspiration devotionals noticed I had skipped writing one day, she reached out to me by email to express her concern. She wanted to know if I…

“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 Here comes my confession. I might as well be up front with you right from the start. The hardest thing for me to do when I am afraid is to do exactly what this message is about. WAIT. Some people become paralyzed with fear. They feel stuck. They can’t seem to move in one direction or another especially forward. Or they go ever so slowly forward with great trepidation while they cower all along the way desperately fearful of anything and everything as they make ever so slow progress forward. Not me. Not usually anyway. I tend to go flying forward. Fear becomes my driving force. I tend to frantically flee…

“who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:23-24 “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-11 “…Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat…[Paul the apostle writing here]” 1 Cor. 4:12-13 ““But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, and pray for those…

“Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Psalm 100:3 “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Romans 12:4-5 “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” 1 Cor. 12:27 “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” 1 Cor. 12:12 One of the most dangerous not to mention selfish things a Christ follower can do is to distance himself or herself from the body…

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7 “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 It may well be one of the most quoted verses in the Bible, and if there is anything people tend to focus on when they refer to it, it’s the fact we’re told we can have the peace of God which goes beyond understanding. Beyond our comprehension. Beyond belief. A peace unfathomable. Indescribable. Matchless. Amazing. Awesome. Who doesn’t…

“and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” 2 Cor. 5:15 “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy,…

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:7-8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 Years ago I dreamed one night that I was praying powerfully over a woman I knew who in the dream had been struck with a potentially deadly disease. When I woke the next morning, my husband at the…

“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.” 1 Peter 2:15-16 “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Gal. 5:13 There is no greater freedom in the universe than receiving forgiveness and the promise of everlasting life when we repent and believe in Christ as Lord who died on the cross to pay our sin penalty and was raised from the dead whereby we commit our hearts and lives to God and His ways forevermore. We are born again spiritually with a clean…

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Phil. 4:8…………… “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord,…” Psalm 24:4-5…………. “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23…………… “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8…………….. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for…

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor. 3:18 When I was growing up, my Mom used to say of a challenging experience, “this will build your character.” My Dad’s response was: “I have enough character.” In other words, enough of this challenging stuff! No more character building! My family didn’t believe in the Lord, but they sure had it right when it comes to challenges in our lives. Who wants to go through a trial, and what good could possibly come of it? One day, as the Lord continued to test me, His Spirit said this to me: “You will find when you are…

“Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 I met a senior man on a street corner one day who confessed he needed money to get home because he had run out of money coming to New York City to meet a woman. Apparently this was not the first time nor did he seem to plan for it to be the last. He had a habit of coming into the city to meet women. Though he also confessed he already had a woman. But then she was just a “common law” wife, he said, meaning he wasn’t committing adultery against her I suppose…

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.” Psalm 42:1 A few college students seemed surprised one day when paralyzed dog Miss Mercy scooted her wheelchair as quickly as possible to them to receive not what they expected she wanted. She was hot – panting hot – and needed water. So I had handed them a water bowl to hold out her water. She hadn’t been drinking enough for a day or two and really needed the water. Any typical dog would have virtually lunged for the water to satisfy his her or her thirst. But not Miss Mercy. She went right by the water and showed absolutely no interest in it. Why? She was totally consumed with what she was in exceeding…

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:11-13 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Gal. 5:22-23 I wish you could see me now. Actually I don’t. You’d probably laugh. Or have a little sympathy – with a…

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be  glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 “Speak to my heart!” I exclaimed silently to the Lord. “What makes you think I have not?” His Spirit replied immediately. Not audibly. In my heart. The same place from which I had spoken to Him. “I don’t like the answer,” I said readily. Like He didn’t already know. As though that would change God’s mind. His heart. His will. Of course, it would not. It didn’t matter what I thought about His answer. Of course it…

When I told a precious friend of mine who helps me with a certain aspect of my ministry work that I would soon likely need her help with a big project, her answer surprised, delighted, and inspired me. “Ready and willing!” she wrote in an email. Even in her written correspondence, though I could not hear her voice nor her tone, I could sense openness, willingness, cheerfulness, humility, eagerness, enthusiasm, readiness, dedication, commitment, devotedness, passion, and, most importantly, love. Love for the Lord. Love for a sister in the Lord. Though the work she has taken on in the eyes of many is manual labor, grunt work, the kind of work that doesn’t exactly spark excitement in the average person, to her that was not the point. She was being given…

” “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Mt. 7:1-5 ““Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37 “She is your sister,” the Spirit of God impressed upon my heart. “Don’t judge her.…

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Cor. 4:7 “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2 Tim. 2:20-21 “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things…

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13 “Father, I can’t do this,” I told the Lord. I was being totally honest, and the Lord knew it. We both knew it. I just couldn’t do it. Not what He’d given me to do. Too much. Too hard. Too needing a break. Too not having had a vacation in years. More than I could handle. Impossible. Almost instantly, these words came to me. “But I can do it in you, with you, through you, and for you,” I told the Lord. That was the plain truth. The truth for me, and the truth for you, dear friend. When God gives us more than we can handle IN OUR OWN WEAKNESS, He gives us HIS STRENGTH and EVERYTHING…

“A friend loves at all times…” Proverbs 17:17  “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”” John 13:35 There is nothing more important in the universe that we do when we’re really struggling and in need of help than that we cry out to God almighty through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a life devoted to Jesus. But some of us are holding back from taking another extremely important step. A step we need to take as the Lord leads us to do so! Jesus is the head of His Body which is the worldwide congregation of all who believe in and follow Him as Lord. We are called by God to love one another, to help and support one…

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:19 “Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22 If you’re as old as I am, and that’s mighty old, well, old is relative, you probably remember the advertisement for ROLAIDS antacid. Bottom line. The ad told the world the product will give you RELIEF. Like NOW. Immediately. ASAP. After all, that’s what people want – and need – when they have indigestion. Right? Just pop the medicine into your mouth, swallow, and boom. RELIEF. Sigh. Whew. Nothing like RELIEF. Right? Sometimes life gives us indigestion. Not the stomach kind. The life kind. The kind of…

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…” James 4:7-8 “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.” 2 Cor. 1:3-5 One of…

“Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.” Gen. 3:22-24 ““He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’” Rev. 2:7 One day I…

“The voice of my beloved! Behold, he comes Leaping upon the mountains, Skipping upon the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, he stands behind our wall; He is looking through the windows, Gazing through the lattice. My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away. For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, And the vines with the tender grapes Give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away!” Song of Solomon 2:8-13 Can I be honest with you? I am a…

“He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.” Deuteronomy 32:4 “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” Psalm 18:30 One day a wave of reassuring peace came over me. Why? The Lord had me in a refining fire, I was undeniably uncomfortable in the midst of it, and when in a similar position in the past I would have doubted anything and everything – including God! But this time was different. The Lord had taken me over the years to a level of trust and abiding in Him I had not until then known. Why the wave of such peace in the thick of a fiery trial? God is NEVER wrong. He is ALWAYS right.…

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 “Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge…. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I…

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 We all have a THIS at one time or another, don’t we? Something hard we’re going through that we would give just about anything to not be going through. Sometimes, in fact, we are so desperate to get out of our hard circumstances that we can’t possibly imagine that there is a PURPOSE IN THIS – a positive one anyway. Not just any old purpose, mind you, but God’s purpose. Could God possibly have a PURPOSE in THIS, we wonder. The…

“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”” Mt. 9:9-13 We tend to think of the word “calling” as referring to a career, to what we’re supposed to do with…

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor. 3:18 If there’s anything I can’t stand when it comes to my front door in New York City, it’s that the buzzer drives the dogs crazy which drives me nuts which means I’m not always the friendliest person when I go hurrying out my door, down the hallway, and peer through the window of the apartment building front door to see who’s waiting for me.  I wasn’t exactly Miss Friendly when this happened one day and I discovered a company DESPITE MY REQUEST ONCE AGAIN TO PLEASE NOT RING MY BUZZER BUT CONTACT THE BUILDING SUPERINTENDENT had…